English Verbs Referring to "Beginning"

to begin

Verb

b

e

ɪ

g

i

ɪ

n

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to do or experience the first part of something

begin commence embark on initiate

end

Example

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Let's begin the cooking process by chopping the vegetables.

John had just begun a decade-long probation for his involvement in the robbery.

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to start

Verb

s

t

a

ɑ:

r

t

to begin something new and continue doing it, feeling it, etc.

begin commence embark on initiate

end

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to start off

Verb

/stˈɑːɹt ˈɔf/

to begin to act, happen, etc. in a particular manner

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

start

phrase's particle

off

to come on

Verb

/kˈʌm ˈɑːn/

to begin doing something in a manner that is sudden and unexpected

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

come

phrase's particle

on

to set in

Verb

/sˈɛt ˈɪn/

to occur, often referring to something unwelcome

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

set

phrase's particle

in

to break out

Verb

/bɹˈeɪk ˈaʊt/

(of an infectious disease) to start and spread within a community

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

break

phrase's particle

out

to launch

Verb

l

au

ɔ

n

ch

ʧ

to start an organized activity or operation

begin commence embark on initiate

abolish

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to roll out

Verb

/ɹˈoʊl ˈaʊt/

to officially introduce or launch a new product, service, or system

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

separable

phrase's verb

roll

phrase's particle

out

to embark

Verb

e

ɛ

m

b

a

ɑ

r

k

to start or initiate something, such as a new project or venture

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to proceed

Verb

p

pɜ

r

o

c

s

ee

i

d

to begin a process or course of action

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to commence

Verb

c

k

o

ə

mm

m

e

ɛ

n

c

s

e

to start happening or being

begin commence embark on initiate

end

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to found

Verb

f

o

a

u

ʊ

n

d

to create or establish an organization or place, especially by providing the finances

begin commence embark on initiate

abolish

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to introduce

Verb

i

ɪ

n

t

r

o

ə

d

u

u:

c

s

e

to begin or initiate something, such as an event, process, or activity

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to pioneer

Verb

p

io

aɪə

n

ee

ɪ

r

to be the first one to do, use, invent, or discover something

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to initiate

Verb

i

ɪ

n

i

ɪ

t

ʃ

ia

ieɪ

t

e

to start a new course of action

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to inaugurate

Verb

i

ɪ

n

au

ɔ

g

u

jɜ

r

a

eɪ

t

e

to officially start or introduce something

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to activate

Verb

a

æ

c

k

t

i

ə

v

a

eɪ

t

e

to make something such as a process, piece of equipment, etc. start working

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to switch on

Verb

/ˈswɪʧ ˈɑn/

to make something start working usually by flipping a switch

begin commence embark on initiate

switch off

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

separable

phrase's verb

switch

phrase's particle

on

to turn on

Verb

/tɝːn ɑːn/

to cause a machine, device, or system to start working or flowing, usually by pressing a button or turning a switch

begin commence embark on initiate

switch off

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

separable

phrase's verb

turn

phrase's particle

on

to institute

Verb

i

ɪ

n

s

t

i

ə

t

u

t

e

to establish or introduce something, such as a policy or program

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to establish

Verb

e

ɪ

s

t

a

æ

b

l

i

ɪ

sh

ʃ

to introduce or create laws or policies

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

to originate

Verb

o

ɜ

r

i

ɪ

g

ʤ

i

ə

n

a

eɪ

t

e

to start to be

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to develop

Verb

d

e

ɪ

v

e

ɛ

l

o

ə

p

(particularly something unpleasant) to begin to happen, exist, or change

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

to take up

Verb

/tˈeɪk ˈʌp/

to make a new interest or hobby a regular part of one's life

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

separable

phrase's verb

take

phrase's particle

up

to go about

Verb

/ɡˌoʊ ɐbˈaʊt/

to continue or start an activity

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

go

phrase's particle

about

to set out

Verb

/sɛt ˈaʊt/

to begin doing something in order to reach a goal

begin commence embark on initiate

end

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

set

phrase's particle

out

to dive into

Verb

/dˈaɪv ˌɪntʊ/

to immerse oneself fully and enthusiastically into a particular activity, subject, or experience

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

dive

phrase's particle

into

to set off

Verb

/sɛt ˈɑf/

to start a journey

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

intransitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

set

phrase's particle

off

to get down to

Verb

/ɡɛt dˈaʊn tuː/

to start focusing on and engaging in a task or activity in a serious or determined manner

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

get

phrase's particle

down to

to burst into

Verb

/bˈɜːst ˌɪntʊ/

to suddenly and intensely begin to express a particular emotion or reaction

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

burst

phrase's particle

into

to launch into

Verb

/lˈɑːntʃ ˌɪntʊ/

to start doing something suddenly and with great enthusiasm

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

launch

phrase's particle

into

to start out

Verb

/stˈɑːɹt ˈaʊt/

to begin taking the early steps regarding an action, project, or goal

begin commence embark on initiate

end

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

start

phrase's particle

out

to set about

Verb

/sˈɛt ɐbˈaʊt/

to start a task, action, or process with determination and inspiration

begin commence embark on initiate

Grammatical Information:

transitive

Phrasal Status

inseparable

phrase's verb

set

phrase's particle

about

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